Tuesday Cheese Curds: Opportunities for growth abound on defense

The overall talent level on the Packers’ defense has rarely been an issue in the Matt LaFleur era. The results? Well, that’s a different story.

Blame it on coordinators, injuries, or just bad timing, the performance hasn’t lived up to the billing, and when it has, it hasn’t been sustained for long enough to really make a difference.

If you want to spin it, though, that means there are plenty of opportunities for growth. The Packers defense could improve by leaps and bounds if it could just iron out some of the wrinkles preventing the unit from achieving the consistency it desperately needs. A few individual performers could take steps forward on their own, helping the defense grow as a whole. Coaches could better utilize the talent they have instead of scheming for players they wish they did.

The opportunities are there. So is the talent, at least in theory. Whether or not it comes together will define this year and beyond.

8 Days Until Training Camp: Third-Down Pressure | Sports Illustrated

Among the Packers’ other defensive shortcomings in 2022, they weren’t great at generating pressures on third downs.

Separating Packers’ 90-man training camp roster into 4 different groups | Packers Wire

Who’s a contender to make the roster? Who’s on the bubble?

Packers medical staff practices for nagging injuries as well as situations they hope to never face | Packers News

A good read on how the Packers’ medical staff prepares for the inevitable — however frightening it might be.

Ranking 2023 NFL running backs by tiers: 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey, Browns’ Nick Chubb headline top group | CBS Sports

Aaron Jones gets some respect here, though he doesn’t end up in the absolute tip-top tier.

Fuzzy invasion of domestic rabbits has a Florida suburb hopping into a hunt for new owners | Associated Press

An adorable invasion is proving problematic in this Florida town.